Baghdad (Fides Service) - Catholics in Iraq have received a special Christmas gift: the chance to venerate the relics of St Theresa of Lisieux. The relics of this most popular and venerated French missionary Saint arrived from France on November 20 and for a month they will be taken to Catholic communities all over the country, from south Massora to North Mossul, via Baghdad. In this country with a population of 22 million, 96% Muslim, for the 1.5 million Catholics this visit is a special grace and a source of comfort and hope. Bishop Emmanuel-Karim Delly Auxiliary of the Patriarch of Babylon of the Chaldeans told Fides Service about the effects of this outstanding event: "It is giving new spiritual life to Christians here in Iraq. Saint Theresa, a mystic who spent her entire life in the cloister in prayer, is today fully missionary as her spirit touches the hearts of Catholics the world over. The initiative is an encouragement to renew our Christian commitment and it gives us courage at this difficult time for our country. Saint Theresa teaches us to love Jesus as she loved him, putting our life in his hands. It is a special grace for us to have the relics of this holy woman here in Iraq. The relics will visit altogether fifty parishes. In several places I have been personally present for their arrival, presiding special Masses and prayers in churches filled to capacity. Catholics all over Iraq are responding with great devotion to this gift: the churches are overflowing and more and more parishes are begging to have the relics even if only for a day. What is more the convoy is followed by civil authorities and even Muslims come to the churches to join in the veneration and honour Saint Theresa. The Little Flower is building harmony between Christians and Muslims, she is here to bring us peace". Bishop Delly ends by asking the world to "pray for Iraq, pray for peace". (PA) (Fides Service 10/12/2002)